DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


DIVINITY SCHOOL 
LIBRARY 


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PASTORAL LETTER, 
res hate TO wv | 


THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION 


~ CANDIDATES FOR ORDERS. 
ADDRESSED TO THE_ 
CLERGY AND LAITY 


OF THE 


PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF 
NEW-YORK. 


BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D. 
Bishop of the said Church. 


NEW-YORE: 


PRINTED BY T. AND J. SWORDS; 
No. 160 Pearl-street. 


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PASTORAL LETTER. 


My Brethren of the Clergy and Laity, 


THERE are various particulars on the impor- 
fant business of the provision for the theological 
education of candidates fer holy orders with which 
it is proper you should be fully acquainted [| 
deem it, therefore, my duty to convey the informa- 
tion to you in the form of a Pastoral Letter, which 
is a mode of communication between a Bishop 
and his diecess, proper in itself, and recogaised 
by the eanons of the Church. 

The information on this subject to which I 
would solicit your attention, may be arranged un- 
der the heads—of the progress made in the busi- 

_ness of provision for the theological education of 
candidates for orders previously to the General 
Convention in May last;—of the measures adopted 
in that Convention;—and of the course which 
appears proper to be taken in relation to this sub- 
ject by the diocess of New-York. 

The necessity of providing adequate means for 
furnishing a learned, as well as pious and faithful 
ministry, has long occupied the attention of all the 
friends of the Church. The opinion has been en- 
tertained from the earliest period of his ministry 


541963 


(: 4) 

by him who addresses you, that, as far as human 
means are concerned, the respectability and per- 
manency of our Church will never be secured until 
she possesses not only theological seminaries, but 
a college, or colleges, exclusively under her con- 
trol, so eligibly situated as to induce Episcopa- 
ats in various parts of the union to send t hei 
sons to them for education. But the sees sed 
state of the Episcopal Church in most parts of 
United States; the inadequacy of her resources ; 
and the inauspicious state of the times, have ope- 
rated unfavourably to all plans for promoting the 
general interests of the Church, for which exten- 
sive funds were demanded. . 

Notwithstanding these disadvantageous circum- 
stances the General Convention of 1817 resolved 
to establish a general Theological Seminary in the 
city of New-York ; and appointed a committee for 
the purpose of carrying it into operation. The 
proceedings of that committee are detailed in the 
following report, which was submitted to the Ge- 
neral Convention in May last :— 


¢ We 0’ 
«‘ The committee onthesubject of the Theological School, 
appointed by the General Convention in 1817, report to the. 
Genera] Convention now assembled as follows : 
« Before the meeting of the committee, their chairman, 
at the desire of the members individually, addressed a let-. 
ter, dated July 13, 1817, to the Rev. Dr. Bowen, whe had 
been designated by the House of Bishops to solicit contribue 
tions in the states of New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, _ 
and Maryland. This letter detailed the reasons which were 
supposed to have operated in the founding theschool. A 


Gi Be) 

the desire of Dr. Bowen, and with the concurrence of 2 
majority of the members of the committee, another letter, 
dated December 12, 1817, was prepared, with a blank to 
be filled with the names of any persons whom Dr. Bowen 
might associate with himself for the accomplishing of the 
object. These letters, as also an extract from an address 
of Bishop Hobart to the Convention of the Church in New- 
York, enforcing the importance and necessity of the insti- 
tution, were printed, and copies of them are herewith 
presented. 

“On the day on which the first mentioned letter was is- 
sued, another in the same words was addressed to the Rev. 
William H. Wilmer, who had been appointed by the House 
of Bishops to collect in the states of Virginia, North and 
South-Carolina, and Georgia. It has been understood that 
some circumstances occurred which prevented Mr. Wil- 
mer’s engaging in this work. But the duties assigned to 
him were in some measure discharged by the Rey. Dr. 
Brownell, who collected a considerable sum, principally 
in the state of South-Carolina. ; 

** The Rev. Daniel Burhans had been appointed by the 
House of Bishops to make collections in New-Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode-Island, and Connecticut ; 
but was prevented by sickness and death in his family. 
Subsequently there was an appointment of the Rev. Dr. 
How, and the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis; and afterwards of 
the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright: but unexpected hin- 
drances have prevented success in that section of the union. 

“After these preliminary arrangements, made by the 
chairman under the authority of the committee individual- 
ly, a meeting of the committee was held in the city of 
Philadelphia, on the 15th and 16th of January, 1818; at — 
which were present Bishop White, Bishop Hobart, Bishop 
Croes, Dr. Wharton, Dr. How, and W. Meredith, Esq. who 
acted as secretary of the committee. They issued an ad- 


(6) 
dress to. the members of this Church, a-printed copy of 
which is herewith presented. They also adopted the fol- 
lowing resolutions, proposed by Bishop Hobart, 

4, Resolved, That the chairman be requested to ad- 
dress a circular letter to the Bishops and the Standing 
Committees of the diocesses of New-Jersey, Maryland, and 
Virginia, (measures having been taken for the collection of 
funds in the state of New-York.) and to the Standing Com- 
mittees of the diocesses where there are no Bishops, en- 
closing several copies of the address before mentioned, re- 
questing them to take effectual measures, by the appoint- 

ment of persons to collect subscriptions and otherwise in 
their respective eri shi to provide funds for the insti- 
tution. hia 

“2, That the chairman, as Bishop of this Church in Penn- 
sylvania, be requested, in conjunction with the Standing 
Committee, and such other persons as he may think proper, 
to carry into effect, in his diocess the provisions of the 
foregoing resolution. 1 Ree 

“3, That a circular letter, with copies of the address 
first mentioned, be transmitted by the chairman to each 
clergyman of the church, requesting his Peel dares spate 
influence in promoting the object of the address; 

“ 4, That the Rev. Dr. How be appointed, with the Rev. 
Mr. Jarvis, to collect subscriptions in the eastern diocess, 
and to receive instructions on this subject from the Right 
Rev. Bishop Griswold, generally; and in the town of Boston 
from the Rev. Dr. Gardiner ; to each of whom the chairman 
will address a letter, requesting his co- -operation’ and in- 
fluence. IRAE « 

“¢ 5. That the Bishops who are of this committee be au- 
thorized and requested to make such additional porn 
ments, relative to the appointment of agents and o' 
measures connected with the collection of monies for ae 


use of the seminary, as they may from time to time think 
proper. 


C7) | 
» © Jt was also resolved, that the monies which may be col- 
jected’ be deposited by the several persons collecting, in 
some safe bank inthe respective states, to be drawn thence 
‘in such way as this committee may hereafter direct ; the 
choice ofa place of deposit to be determined in each case, 
by the Bishop and Standing Committee of the diocess, and, 
where there is no Bishop, by the Standing Committee ; and 
that the several collectors be requested to inform the chair- 
man of this committee, of the amount collected and of the 
place where it is deposited, and that the Bishops and 

‘Standing Committees be requested to report to him the 
measures which they may have adopted to collect funds 
for the institution. 

« And it was further resolved, That the Rev. Jackson 
Kemper be appointed secretary to the chairman of this 
committee, to assist him in that character in the perform- 
ance of the several duties stated in these resolutions. 

» “ The duties committed to the chairman by these re- 
solves, were performed with the assistance of the Rey. 
Jackson Kemper, appointed with that view by the commit- 
tee ; who deem it their duty to state, that on all occasions 

they received the active co-operation and important aid 
of their chairman. 

Their next meeting was in the city of Philadelphia, on 
the 7th and 8th of October, 1818; at which were present 
Bishop White, Bishop Hobart, Bishop Croes, Dr. Wharton, 
and William Meredith, Esq. At this meeting the following 
resolutions were adopted ; the first resolve being proposed 
by Bishop White, and the others by Bishop Hobart. 

“1, Resolved, That it is expedient to carry into imme- 
diate operation, the Theological School of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in the United States of America; and 
that, for this parpose, a professorship of biblical learning, 
comprehending the exposition of the holy scriptures, with 
whatever relates to the evidences of revealed religion and 


(8) 
biblical criticism,+-a professorship of systematic thedlogy, 
giving correct views of the doctrines of scripture and of the 
authorities sustaining them,—a_professorship»of historie 
theology, giving correct information of the state of the 
Church in all ages, and of the Chureh of England in parti- 
cular from the reformation, embracing a view of the con+ 
stitution of the Christian Church, of | the orders of the mi- 
nistry, and of the nature and duty of Christian unity;a 
professorship of the ritual of the church and of pulpit elo- 
quence, comprehending all the points relative to the Jitur- 
- gy, tothe correct and devotional performance of the service 
of the church, to the composition and delivery of sermons, 
and to the duties of the clerical office... 

“9, That as soon as the funds of the inotitabieasiwiitl 
admit, these professorships be filled, and the professors de- 
tached from all parochia) charge, and devoted solely to the 
objects of the institution. Ce ee 

«‘ 3. That when the funds of the institution admit, the 
Rev. Charles Henry Wharton, D.D. be appointed professor 
of systematic theology, and that the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis 
be now appointed professor of biblical learning, and the 
Rev. Samuel H. Turner professor of historic theology; and 
that these two last named professors receive for the pre- 
sent, and until they can be detached from parochial cures, 
and devoted solely to the objects of the institution,a salary 
each of eight hundred dollars per annumMe.+ seein 
_ “4, That. until the other professorship, be filled, and — 
until the professor of systematic theology enter, on) the 
duties of his office, the subject of systematic theology be 
assigned to the professor of historic theology ; and that the 
professor of biblical learning, and the professor of historie 
theviogy, provide, by joint arrangement, for the object 
assigned to the professor of the ritual of the church and of 
a eloquence. ppneptinng 2 0 

_ “ 5. That the professors. be cnendididl inestsisediaiatabel ; 


q # y 
tions by'the provisions of the canons, and the course of 
study'set’forth by the House of Bishops; ‘that they conduct: 
the’students througli’all the books prescribed in that course, 
making them thoroughly acquainted with the subjects “of 
which those books respectively treat ; that the present pro- 
fessors provide for the daily instruction of the students ; 
and that when the professors are detached from parochial 
cures, they shall each be daily engaged in instruction; that. 
the students be frequently exercised in the devotional per- 
formance of the service of the church, and in the composi- 
tion‘and delivery of sermons ; and that particular attention’ 
be paid to their progress in the spiritual life,’ and’to their 
correct views of the nature and cnn Ae aera ae 
of the clerical office. 
. 6. That until the ficther di complete isla of 
the institution, the Bishops who are members of the com- 
mittee be charged with making such temporary arrange- 
ments as may be necessary. owl pill 
jot That as'soon as the funds will admit, theological 
scholarships be established for the education of young men 
of ‘piety and oneenente who - be destitute of pectiniary 
means. ~ pobares Oi 
© 8. That David J. Greene, Req. of the city of New-) 
York, be appointed the treasurer of this institution, with 
power to collect and receive the monies which may be 
subscribed or granted for the benefit thereof, and to place. 
them at interest, on good ai in 1 trust; for the use of: 
the institution, = Welle rnothhes dene tetecantend | 
~ “© 9.°That the Bishops ae this — be au« 
thorized and requested to make arrangements for providing 
funds for the institution, and for this purpose to publish an 
earnest appeal to the members and friends of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church, stating the wants of the Church 
with respect to Clergymen, the number of young men of 
piety and talents desirous of an education for the minis- 
iad 


Vital interests of of the Chae ctiestaiadllanaton 
_ The plan ane = ute: PEP ayo oA 


C. Moore, Esq, of the ¢ity of New-York, addressedito: 
him, containing an offer of the grant of sixtycitylobsysproy 
vided: the buildings: of ‘the Theological School:should:-be, 
erected thereon. And the following resol 

Bishop Hobart, were adopted. =» si) sv auhvaylo de 
1 be: Resolved, that the offer of Mr. Moore beaécepted, 
and that the buildings for the use of the Theological Semi+ 
nary be erected. on or near the lots of ground>granted by 
Mr. Moore for the use of the institutions » “sce ee eieem 
| 9! That as the funds of the institution: do not admitiof 
the adequate: support of all the contemplated »professorsy 


the subjects assigned to the professors of systematic divie 
nity, and of the ritual of the church and of pulpitvelos 


quence, be at present assigned to: the professomof biblical 
Mdarwings {reson fair ow evimees ve Popheneiingibal 
_ 3, That in consideration of the more extensive’sphere 
of duty assigned to the professor of biblicab learning; and 
‘of his situation as having.a family, his salary be fixedvatitwo 
thousand five hundred dollars per annum, withashouseyas 
goon as one can be erected; and, in the mean time) withan 
allowance of five hundred dollars per annum im liewofa 
house, in the expectation of his applying himself solelyto. 
the discharge of the duties of his station—and th 
consideration not applying sen 
logy, his salary be fixed at one thousand dollars perannum, 
aC 


also 0: ring, to the i —— talents 
of the oon Dr, Wharton, the skit of systematic theo- 
Jogy,, agreeably to the .resolution..of the ‘Sth of October 
lasts see oN} Die sido Stes) geibtin ng. gowns iat 
» ©4, That the Bishops, members of this committee, who, 
' agreeably to a resolution of the 9th of October last, were 
charged with making temporary arrangements for the ma- 
magement of the seminary, be further directed to frame 
"and report to this committee, a plan : for the complete “ah 
ganization thereof. & Naeg? He 36 4g eae Hibs af Re dy Did s pM sb 
» “The committee were induced to make the conan 
eontained in the above resolutions, in the expectation that 
the prospect of the pérmanent establishment of the institu- 
tion under the professors appointed, if a sufficient support 
could be provided for them; would operate strongly in aid 
‘of the collection of funds for that object. No subsequent 
arrangements have been made; the committee being péer- 


 guaded that some new excitement is necessary m favour of 


the contemplated institution; and: looking forward to the 
approaching meéting of the General Convention, as afford- 
ing’the only effectual means of awakening the attention of 
thé members and friends of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church to an object so. oe pe connected a 
nour and prosperity. HAE by oh Ren Ge Gad Rad Bor 
© For the state of sue ainbiy the collections » one il 
the'sums'subscribed and not paid, we refer to the account of 
the treasurer and the exhibit annexed. In the state of New 
_ York, the sums subscribed; which are eovsiderable,: being 
inade payable on the condition of the whole sum subscribed 
amounting to one hundred thousand dollars, only a small 
proportion of them have been collected. A bequest of one 
thousand dollars, of James’ M‘Evers, of the city of New- 
York, to Bishop Hobart, in trust for a theological school, 
hasbeen paid by him. to the: es teneiaraaatioanel 


«®») | 

‘The lots granted by Mr. Moore ‘are atipresent valuable, 
and as the city eonianey seer 
revenue. ; *RORRSLG TE OGL ok wt vee. 
9“ The professors ave condaeted the imide x 
institution, according to the canons and the course 
seed by the House of Bishops.) 84) 
“0 © Signed by order of the com 


mittee, © 4) Geman 
* Rast. ogys Baeer esis St iL sactbearageten pisces —— 
aie 205 :B 8202? riinwr. 


woaeld) gy. 
“A further report was, made to ‘tee 


follows: Ie oc. Aiea, 8 i Ree bh aeae wiley” Seni 
General Conven- 


“ The committee ial at the last 
tion on the subject of a theological Yannis eS 
melee a further report. boi vid yt Lug og ipa 

“In the caption to the subscription book drawn 
Dr. Bowen, it is stated that ‘persons error aes 
scriptions as they:shall choose agreeably to the one or other 
of the following conditions.’ And one ofsthese con 
is, that ‘any individual may subscribe on the conditi 
not being required:to pay until one hundred thousa 
lars in all.shall have been subscribed. This captior 


thought, gave all the subscribers the option, whel called 
on to: pay, of declining unless one sundred hous a 
had been subscribed. But Dr. Bowen authorizes t Be 
mittee to state that he considers that no, sums) ¢ ext) 


subscribed at his solicitation are liable to the abovecor 
tion, except those which are stated to beso bya, 
randum which the subscribers have annexed to th 
on the pages of the. book of subscriptions. » The | — 
this description amount, to five thousand peste hun 
lars, subscribed by eight persons. | sf 
‘¢ It may be proper further’to wise that the F Rev. 
fessors of the seminary not wishing that the studie 
year, the recitations of each week,- od th open 


( 13 ) 
the recitations to be’ assigned to each of the professors 


‘bevsurrendered to their direction, applied to the 
nae for instructions to those purposes. The com- 


wena ding in the sufficiency of the professors, were 
penne eave the arrangements in question to their de- 
ters nation; especially as they were matters in which ex-' 
perience mi hi dictate alterations from time to time. There 
was, he , an endeavour to obtain a meeting of the 
committee in \Obtober last; which failed on account of the 
indisposition: of some of the members, and the necessary 
ts of others. A meeting was held in December, 

but there. being a mere quorum, the time being | so near 
this triennial meeting, and the institution not having suffer 
2 el likely to suffer i in the business, no order was 
s/s: sieht WILLIAM WHITE, Chairman. 

“ May 22, agen mS Bact SO th 


“The House of Bishops in the Convention of 1817 


had" portioned the several states of the union 
a ‘four Clergymen, for the purpose of solicit- 
ing ~ contributions therein for the Seminary. 


ay 


T iis plan appeared to me at the time objectiona- 
ble, as assigning to individuals too large an extent 
of country in which to'solicit contributions, and as, 
therefore, precluding the possibility of that minute, 
and! general, and vigorous seers a funds on ' 
whieh the irc collection ‘dey ended. T The plan, he ow- 
past OF opted on | the principle that ihe multi- . 
p jeation of ¢ agents 1 would diminish responsibility, 4s 
and of course lessen the probability ef so faithful a. 
discharge oftheir duties. Siig el Syne 

- The first business of the cévnteiiebdery was to fur- 
nish the agents with the necessary documents for 


(mm) 
entering on’ their duties, whi 
done ; and ang hy is repr in 


reff rt i ei 
“The cominittee entertained the opin’ nt at ef- 


viously to the organization of the Hae ite ion; a 
this was a subject of considerable’ delicacy an 
difficulty, and likely to present. points on:which 
there might be differences of opinion'unpropitious 

he experiment hav 


to the collection ‘of funds: “T 
ing been fully made, however, "in: vatiols way’ 
without success, the committee at their meeting 
in Octobor, 1818, and in F ebruary, 1819, adopte 
resolutions for organizing the institution as dee 
tailed in their report. To carry these resolutie 
into effect the committee were induced top 
nearly the whole amount of the funds eol lected. 
salaries to the professors, “ in the expectation't 
the prospect of the permanent estab ist ment o 
‘institution under the professors appointed 
puigees support could be proriied fo 


New-York had been made pi! 8 i ca 
tion ie ts 100,000. should be subsi i 


as the entrance of the abo: on Ke t ‘dut an : 
their office, and the organization. of the instituti 
should be announced by the delivery ia a a 


a ni would more than 
er excite the attention and the zeal of Bpis- 
Api nash dvon of the institution. Before, how- 
3 plan was: carried into effect, the Rev? 
rvis, to whom the duties of three professor- 
hip: | been assigned, deemed it'his duty toace 
cept’acall tova church at Boston. Other arrange- 
ments became therefore necessary on the part.of 
the committee, but they were induced to postpone: 
i persuaded” (as stated in their report) 
at some ‘new excitement was necessary in fa- 
it-of the contemplated ‘institution; and looking 
forwari tothe approaching imocticaat the Gene-. 
ralConvention, as. affording the only effectual 
of awakening the attention of the members’ 
and friends of the Protestant Episcopal Church to: 
an object so essentially connected with its honour 
ity.” It is proper that I should state’ 
most ‘explicitly, that, asa member of the commit’ 
tee, | interested sade sincerely, and to the best’ 
of my judgment, in the establishment of the ieee 
ralseminary. i 
At the last: General Senx dation the paced 
was adopted of removing the institution to New-' 
Haven. Thismeasure could not have: béen car 
ried. without the co-operation of the Bishop and 
a from New-York; for it was distinctly: 
understood that. a ‘majority ‘would have been in 
pe continuing it in that, city, if pledges 
given of a renewed! and vigorous effort 


{ 6 ) 
for the collection of funds int 
was every reason to believe, —- Siematte. 
san institutions would ultimately. bees stablish 
that a general 1 institution would, rathér b 
esced in by many than cordially:supy 
thus, while the principal part of the df 
general institution: would be raised dr 
she might ultimately be one of. mye 
who had not.a theological Weipa j 
own control. The. removal. to; New-Hi * a 
Wad covncetly:dlosined ‘ap ‘Che litishagal aa na 
from the €hureh in Connecticut...1 ind or hese 
views of the subject, the! Bishop and. deputation 
from ,New-York consented: to:. the rem oval:.as t 
measure of conciliation ; it being, previous sly 
derstood, as was supposed, in consequence: 
private conferences between the, Bishop. of of the 
Church in that state and myself, and ohpatd 
clarations on the subject, that a theological instit 
tion would be organized in New-Yerld 
the resources and contributionsof the Epis 
in that state were to be reserved, and with which. 
the seminary at New-Haven was not in any way 
interfere. But for these impressions the mea: 
of removal would have been opposed, < ‘ 
~ can be no doubt successfully. 

' On the subject of the course that sho 
pursued under existing circumstances, by | 
cess. of New-York, it may be proper to cor 
the right of every diocess to make provision for 


the theological education of eS 


ae “ 7igg * 
: be 


( 17 ) 
“hu aan “the expediency of this provision ‘elie 
y the diocess of New- York ; and the mode 
in in which it should be effected. 
~The right of every diocess to provide for the 
theological education of candidates for orders, 
‘subject. only to the provisions of the peneral 
‘canons of the Church, cannot be questioned. 
The ecclesiastical aGtinty of every diocess is re- 
onsible for the admission of persons as candi- 
ee holy orders ; who in their state of prepa- 
tation are under the charge of that authority, and 
amenable toit It is impossible for a moment to 
* doubt the right of any diocess to make any arrange- 
ments which they may déem proper, in consistency 
‘with the general canons of the Church, for the in- 
struction and aid of candidates for ones who are 
under its charge. No act of the General Conven- 
tion has ever contravened this eb o prevent, 
however, all misapprehension on this subject, both 
“the right: and the probability of its exercise, were 
explicitly stated by the New-York deputation in 
_the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies: and in 
the House of Bishops, still more explicitly, the fot- 
Jowing declaration was adopted, as the condition 
on the part of that house, of concurrence in the 
~ yesolutions relative to the seminary at New-Haven. 
The declaration is recorded on their journals. _ 


_.. “© The House of Bishops inform the House of Clerical 

_ and Lay Deputies, that in concurring in the resolutions re- 

- lative to the Theological Seminary, and in its removal from 

the ‘city of New-York, they deem it proper to declare that 
C 


( 18 ) 
they do hot mean by this céncurrence to interfere with any 
plan now contemplated, or that may hereafter be contem- 
plated, in any diocess or diecesses for the establishment of - 
theological institutions or professorships; and further they 
deem it their duty to express the opinion, that the various 
sums subscribed having been thus subscribed under an act 
of the Convention establishing the seminary in New-York, 
the subscribers who have not paid, are not now bound, ex- 
cept they think proper, to pay their sobseriptions; the in 
stitution being sir ih to a different city.” ny bale 


“The ‘following ‘extracts from ‘Tet nine 
White, the venerable presiding Bishop, will sho 


unequivocally the view entertained in that house 
on the subject generally, and particularly ware 
gard to an institution in New-York. " 

“ "That full provision was made for the aeatal sta 
cesan schogis | well remember ; and that the provision ¥ 
before the passing of what came from the other house must 
be evident from this, that otherwise it would not have been 
passed by us without debate, and unanimously, if at all.” 

“ As to New-York, I know not how the design of a dio- 
cesan school could have been more explicitly decla 
acquiesced in, than was done in the House of Bisl vd 7 

The right indeed had been already. exercised i in 
the diocess of Virginia. And on this porialianame 
lowing information appears in the report of t 
state of the Church in that diocess, inserted on th 
journals of the General Convention: 
_ The college of William and Mary has made an offer,. 
which promises important benefits to students of 
and has elected a clergyman of our Church a -ponfeens 
therein, who will take charge of such students. _ Asoc 
has been organized to assist a young men ie are 


CH 
-gandidates for the ministry, and from which the most be- 
neficial results may be expected.” 


» An Episcopal clergyman is also professor of 
theology in the university of Maryland. 

- "The expediency, then, of making provision in 

the diocess of New-York, for the education of can- 

didates for orders, may be placed on the fact, that 

other diocesses have made, or will make such provi- 

sion. 

_ It cawhardly be supposed that the various dio- 
cesses that are or may be established throughout 
this immense continent, will unite in the sup- 
port of one theological institution ; or, that it will 
be practicable for candidates for agers to come to 
one place for instruction from all parts of the union. 
The experience of a very respectable religious 
communion confirms this reasoning from the ge- 
neral principles of human nature. ‘The Presby- 
terian church has a theological seminary at Prince- 
ton: but a synod of that church in the western 
part of this state have established one, and another 
is contemplated by the synod of Tennessee. 

Shall, then, New-York relinquish the resources 
which she pre-eminently possesses for making am- 
ple provision for the theological instruction of can- 
didates for orders, when other diocesses are, or wil! 
be, turning their attention to this subject? This is 
more than can be expected, or than should be re- 
quired. What would be the consequence? Other 
diocesses would have their establishments for theo- 
logical education, and New-York, who has every 


( 20) dy 

claim to one, having bestowed her acer. 
where, would be destitute. = 4 

_The propriety, of the General Cony i 
lating on the establishment, and regula 
general seminary, has been doubted Pin 0 
the. best friends of the Church, and those long con= 
versant in her concerns, The moment that body. F 
governs; too .much, or extends its enactments: to, 
subjects on which there are clashing views and.in=~ 
terests, the peace,and:union of the Church-are en-. 
dangered. . That the General, Convention should - 
confine its legislation to those matters that are ab 
solutely, necessary to preserve the different parts of - 
the Church as one body, is the principle which the: . 
venerable presiding Bishop of our Church states, 
as the principle that should be strictly observed.* . 
And, doubtless, in conformity with this principle, 
and from. an apprehension of the collisions which __- 
might arise from attempts by parties of different _ 
views, to obtain the control of the general institu- 
tion, he has always expressed his opinion in-fa-_ 
vour of provision being made, by the differentdio- _- 
cesses, for the education of candidates for orders. ~ 
The very attempt to preserve bins of prieerso 
opinions by a general institution, under the aul 
rity of the Convention, would lead to collisions and 
to separations. Here, too, the axpetenilale 
denominations may, guide us. The. Presbyteriam 
theological. institutions, in’ the western part of 
this State, and in Tennessee, I am credibly, in=. 
vy _-® Memoirs of the Episcopal Church, page 30900 | 5) 


( 2 ) 

formed, are established by those ‘who are not fa- 
vourable, in all respects, to the thealogneel system 
inculeated by the general institution. .'The only 
practicable security for unity of theological opinion 
among candidates for orders, consists in the course 
of studies prescribed by the Bishops, and in ihe 
general regulations of the Convention. 

As the result of a most solicitous and attentive 
consideration of this subject, under a deep sense 
of ‘the responsibility of my station, and with an 
unfeigned desire to advance, as far as 1 can ascer-— 
tain them, the best interests of the Church, I deem 
it my duty earnestly to urge upon the clergy and 
laity of this diocess immediate efforts to establish 
liberal means of theological education, and of pro- 
viding aid for indigent students in divinity. 

With this view, I would propose the formation of 
a society, to be entitled, ““ The Protestant Episco- 
pal-Theological Education Society of the State of 
New-York.” And for the purpose of ‘constituting 
this society it is further proposed, that on the 
Wednesday evening succeeding the Tuesday on 
which the annual meeting of the Convention of the 
state is held, a meeting be held of the clergy and 
laity who are membersof the Convention, and of 
others, who are friendly to this object. 

» In reference to the constitution of this society, - 
the following are offered as suggestions. Every. 
thing definitive will of course be settled: at they 
proposed meeting. ' 

» That this society consist of the Bishopand ww 


( 22 ¥ 
of the state, and of lay delegates to be electe 
the vestry of every congregation in thesame. _ 
That the concerns of this society Hi sie | 
by a board of trustees, consisting of the Bishop, 
and of a certain number of the clergy ie ro 
be chosen by the society. late | 
That the society meet annually at ‘thet 
the meeting of the Convention of the diocess, to 
whom reports of its proceedings shall be made; as 
also to the several Bishops of the-Church in the 
union, and to the General. Convention, 
That this society take measures for procuring 
funds for the aid of young men of piety and talents 
designed for the ministry, but destitute of pecu- 
niary means—for the establishment of a professor 
or professors of divinity in the city of New-York— 
and for the endowment of a theological cela in, 
the northern or western partofthe state. = = 5 
This last measure seems suggested by a ‘Cihin he. 
deration of the different circumstances. of candi-- 
dates for orders, and of the different sl be 
which, as clergymen, they will probably mov 
Tiere: will always be some candidates for orders 
resident-in the city and other places, who will deem 
it desirable and convenient to pursue thei 
under a professor or professors there ; wh 
ethers, particularly those who receive pecun 
aid from the society, a situation should be pro 
where they may receive their theological 
tion at less expense. Among these latter a 
Church must principally look for that eminently 


( 23 ) 

meritorious class of Clergy, who, with primitive 
zeal, and often with primitive self-denial, carry the 
doctrines and institutions of the Gospel to the new 
or retired settlements of our country. And upon 
this plan also, the benefits will be realized of a 
more retired and of a more public education for 
the ministry. 

This then is an object, my respected Brethren, 
that should excite and unite our most zealous ex- 
ertions. Let them be roused and directed to this 
object, and it will be attained. For, the Episcopa- 
lians in this diocess, and particularly in the city of 
New-York, are so numerous, and so abundant in 
pecuniary means, that there is no object demand- 
ing pecuniary resources which they cannot accom- 
plish. Already our brethren in a southern diocess 
have set us the example. Though the Church 
there is just emerging from a state of depression, 
which threatened its extinction, yet one of the first 
efforts of its friends is directed to the provision for 
the theological education of candidates for orders, 
and for pecuniary aid to such as are indigent. [ 
repeat it; we in this diocess possess unrivalled re- 
sources, and peculiar advantages for the accom- 
plishment of the same object, so vitally connected 
with the honour and the prosperity of our Church. 
Let these resources then be liberally called forth, 
and these advantages faithfully employed, and we 
shall secure for our Church that, without which no 
church can be respectable, and with which, under 
the Divine blessing, every church must and will 


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FORM 335 40 9. 


Div.S. 207.747 G328HO 511962 


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